Get the best of both private and national game reserves in the malaria-free Eastern Cape of South Africa, on this affordable Addo and Kariega Big 5 Safari.
Start off with the famous Addo Elephant National Park, home to an unrivalled number of elephants and many other wild animals. Explore South Africa's third-largest national park on guided game drives with a professional guide and stay inside the park where you can watch for wildlife at the camp's floodlit waterhole. Then head to Kariega Game Reserve for close-up encounters with Africa's Big Five and plenty more, experiencing this pristine wilderness area on open 4x4 game drives with expert guides. Go canoeing and embark on a guided game walk too. In Kariega, you stay at the comfortable 4-star Main Lodge set on a hillside overlooking the Kariega River and surrounding reserve.
A fantastic South Africa Safari combining two excellent malaria-free Big Five game reserves in the friendly Eastern Cape province.
Your Addo & Kariega Big Five Safari kicks off at 8:00 am this morning in Port Elizabeth. You will be collected from your accommodation in the seaside city and transferred to Addo Elephant Park. The drive takes about 35 minutes, bringing us to the southern gate of Addo Park, where we check-in and take a comfort break.
Then, the wildlife adventure begins! As we drive north through Addo Elephant National Park we hopefully see why it is named Addo Elephant Park. Boasting an elephant population of close to 700 elephants it should be easy. This is after all one of the best places to see elephants in Africa. In addition to elephants, we are likely to see a variety of other wildlife, reptiles and birds. Keep an eye out for the iconic Big Five of Africa, especially buffalos, rhinos and lions. Leopards are more elusive but are also found here. Other wild animals that we may see include hyenas, zebras and various antelope species such as kudu, eland, red hartebeest, bushbuck, wildebeest and springbok. We pass through Albany thicket and grassy plains on our game drive, stopping to admire creatures along the way.
By lunchtime, we reach the main rest camp in Addo Park and have a light lunch in the park restaurant. After lunch, we embark on a game drive in search of Africa's fascinating wildlife. As the heat subsides we are sure to see more movement and wildlife action out in the bush. Later, we return to the camp for dinner at the restaurant. Then you are free to relax and visit the viewpoint at the camp's floodlit waterhole where nocturnal creatures can be spotted. Alternatively, you can join an optional night game drive with SANParks, at extra cost. This thrilling night game drive is conducted in an open safari vehicle with a SANParks ranger.
Kickstart the morning with a fresh cup of coffee or tea and rusks before heading out on a sunrise game drive in Addo Park. Early morning game drives are ideal for seeing predators, especially lions, while they are still active. The early morning hours are also great for spotting birds in the African bush. Your guide is happy to tell you more about the natural ecosystems and wild inhabitants of Addo while you explore. Keep an eye out for the ubiquitous warthog and commonly sighted zebras, antelopes and, of course, elephants.
Our rewarding game drive is followed by breakfast at the park's restaurant and free time at the camp. Take a nap or a refreshing dip in the pool. Visit the bird hide or underground wildlife viewing hide at the waterhole to check for visiting animals. At about midday, we meet for lunch at the restaurant and later this afternoon we embark on our second game drive of the day. We may see the endemic flightless dung beetle of Addo or large mammals such as buffalos, kudus and eland. As evening begins to fall we return to the camp for dinner in the restaurant.
Head down to the floodlit waterhole or sit back and watch the stars. Maybe join the optional night game drive in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle. Be sure to listen for the calls of the lion, black-backed jackal and hyena as you settle down for the night.
Wake up early on day three for one last game viewing adventure in Addo Elephant Park. First, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and rusks at camp and then set off on a game drive with your guide. As the third-largest national park in South Africa, there is plenty to see in Addo Park. The game reserve incorporates five of the nine biomes found in South Africa which makes is particularly diverse. Scan the bush for lions and other carnivores returning from the hunt and watch for herbivores that are beginning to stir.
Our final game drive ends back at the main rest camp where we have breakfast and get ready to depart. Leaving the camp we drive south through Addo keeping an eye out for wildlife and birds along the way. Then we exit Addo Park and drive to Kariega Game Reserve near Kenton-on-Sea. After about one and a half hours' drive, we arrive at the Main Lodge in Kariega where your guide bids you farewell.
Settle into your chalet and enjoy lunch in the lodge's dining area, then relax and take a swim in the sparkling pool. In the late afternoon, it's time for our first 4x4 game drive in Kariega Game Reserve. One of the lodge's professional guides will take guests out into the bush to explore in an open-sided safari vehicle. The guides are trained experts with extensive experience and a passion for the Africa bush, so sit back and enjoy! You may get lucky and encounter some of the Big Five animals (especially elephants, lions and rhinos) at surprisingly close range.
Day four - an exciting day of wildlife adventures in Kariega Game Reserve awaits. We wake up early for tea, coffee and a light snack before heading out into the pristine wilderness. If you visit during winter breakfast will be served before the morning safari activity.
Our full day in this malaria-free South African game reserve starts with an exhilarating 4x4 game drive. We are sure to sight a variety of wild animals and birds with the help of the expert guides of Kariega. After soaking up the great outdoors on our early morning drive, we return to the Main Lodge for a hearty brunch (in the summer season). Then you are free to unwind at the lodge or embark on your next adventure. Take a guided bush walk or go canoeing on the river, swim in the pool or catch a nap - the choice is yours. You also have the option of treating yourself to a pampering spa treatment (at extra cost) at the lodge.
At about 14h30 a light lunch spread of tasty eats is served in the dining area. As the heat of the day begins to subside we get ready for an afternoon to evening game drive. By about 16h00 you set off with an expert guide and your fellow guests for a thrilling 4x4 game drive in Kariega. The sunset game drives include a scenic sundowner stop - a fantastic way to end a memorable day in the African bush. Evenings are a good time to spot nocturnal animals as they emerge from hiding to hunt, so keep your eyes open. You may even be lucky enough to see a shy leopard lurking in the bush as darkness approaches. Other regularly sighted animals in Kariega include hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest, along with various other antelopes such as eland, kudu and waterbuck.
After our action-packed game drive, we return to Main Lodge for a delicious dinner in the open-air boma or restaurant. Enjoy a final evening out in the bush, surrounded by untamed nature. Sit back and relax around the campfire or at the bar and cosy fireplace in the lounge.
Begin day five with coffee or tea and a snack before venturing out on a final game drive in Kariega Game Reserve. Tune into your wild surroundings, watching for animals and birds. Crowned eagles, martial eagles and African fish eagles are all found here, among numerous other bird species. Your guide is there to point out the fascinating small details of the bush as well as the large mammals and safari showstoppers.
Your last wildlife adventure is followed by a late breakfast back at the lodge overlooking the Kariega River valley. After brunch, its time to say goodbye to the African bush and return to Port Elizabeth. Your memorable South African Safari ends back in Port Elizabeth where you are dropped off at your accommodation.
Addo Elephant National Park is the top safari destination in the Eastern Cape and one of the best malaria-free Big Five safari parks in the country. It is also the third-largest national park in South Africa. As an easily accessible (only 35-minutes' drive from Port Elizabeth) malaria-free game park, Addo is very popular, especially with families. Addo Elephant National Park is also close to the Garden Route which makes it a great add-on to Garden Route trips.
The foremost reason to visit Addo Elephant Park is its remarkable elephant population. Addo is one of the best places in Africa to see elephants because of the high concentration of elephants found in the park. Almost 700 elephants roam the 1 640 km² (633 mi²) area of Addo. An even more remarkable achievement, given that in 1931 when the national park was established there were only 11 elephants remaining in the region. In addition to the impressive elephant numbers, the remainder of the Big Five animals are also found in Addo. Lions and buffalos are often sighted, whilst rhino and leopard sightings are relatively rare. Addo Elephant Park is also one of the few places where you can see the Big 7 of Africa, which consists of the Big 5 plus the southern right whale and great white shark. The marine protected area within Addo Park also hosts some of the largest Cape gannet and African penguin colonies in the world, along with dolphins, seals and various other marine animals.
On this Addo & Kariega Big 5 Safari, you stay at the main rest camp in Addo Park for the first two nights. Accommodation at the main rest camp is in either cottages or chalets, subject to availability. If the accommodation at Addo's main camp is fully booked then we stay at alternative lodge accommodation (of similar standards) close to Addo Elephant Park. Thus, booking well in advance is highly recommended (at least 6 months before you travel) to ensure availability at the Addo rest camp. If you are travelling as a group or family then you'll stay in one of the guesthouses at Addo main camp. All accommodation units are simple yet comfortable with basic kitchen facilities and en-suite bathrooms. The chalets are clean and well-maintained featuring twin single beds and fans. The main Addo rest camp has a swimming pool, shop and restaurant. There is also a floodlit waterhole where wildlife can be viewed after dark and in-between game drives at the main camp, as well as an underground wildlife hide and a birdwatching hide.
This South African game reserve is located near the Garden Route in the malaria-free Eastern Cape province. Just 10-minutes drive from Kenton-on-Sea, Kariega can easily be combined with this popular seaside holiday destination for a fantastic African bush and beach combination trip. Kariega Game Reserve is about 80-minutes drive from Port Elizabeth and half an hour from Grahamstown. This family-owned and run South African game reserve provides excellent close-up wildlife sightings and warm hospitality.
This private game reserve is home to healthy numbers of Africa's Big Five - lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant. Close encounters with lions, elephants, buffalos and rhinos are relatively common in Kariega. The game reserve incorporates grassland plains, thicket-covered hills and wooded valleys, with two rivers (Kariega and Bushmans) flowing through the 10000-hectare wilderness area. Other wildlife that you are likely to see in Kariega Game Reserve includes hippo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and hyena. Antelope species such as eland, kudu, waterbuck and others also inhabit the reserve. Given its variety of pristine habitats, Kariega is also home to a rich array of birds, including various eagles (crowned, martial and fish eagles).
In Kariega Game Reserve we stay at the 4-star Main Lodge. This family-friendly lodge offers a relaxed and welcoming environment where children of all ages are welcome. The Main Lodge is set on a densely-vegetated hillside within Kariega Game Reserve where it blends into its bush surroundings.
Accommodation is in comfortable wooden chalets with two or three air-conditioned bedrooms. Each log chalet features a large open-plan living and dining area where guests can relax between safari activities, as well as a private viewing deck overlooking the Kariega River. These spacious chalets have en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV's and most of them feature a fireplace whilst some have plunge pools on their viewing decks too. Facilities at the Main Lodge include a cosy lounge with a fireplace and a bar area, a swimming pool and an indoor dining area. There is also an open-air boma for enjoying traditional South African meals outdoors on starry nights. At Kariega's Main Lodge an exciting array of activities are included, such as guided bush walks and canoeing.
Please note that you have the option of upgrading to one of the other lodges in Kariega Game Reserve should you prefer. The 4-star lodge options are Ukhozi Lodge, River Lodge and The Homestead private lodge. The 5-star lodge is Settlers Drift which offers luxury tented accommodation in a remote part of Kariega. Should you wish to upgrade to one of the alternative lodges let us know and we will send you an updated price for this safari package.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children from the age of 6 years are permitted on this safari. At Kariega Game Reserve a tailor-made children's programme is available every day. On the optional open-vehicle game drives with SANParks in Addo, there is a minimum age restriction of 7 years.
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